£2.5m released for delivery of Eden Project Morecambe
Eden Project Morecambe has been further strengthened following the release of an additional £2.5million for the development of the new world-class destination.
It brings to £5million the development money that has been made available to date as part of the £50million investment designated to the project by the UK Government.
The availability of the funds means that vital work to design and deliver the scheme can be undertaken. This includes the important appointment of an external team including architects to further develop the design of the site on Morecambe’s central promenade area, in advance of construction work taking place.
The results of the tender process for this team will be announced in the coming weeks.
Councillor Catherine Potter, Lancaster City Council cabinet member with responsibility for the visitor economy, community wealth building and culture, said: “This is excellent news and should provide local people with further confidence in the project that they have been craving. It means we can continue to build momentum and undertake the vital work that is needed to deliver the attraction and the benefits it will bring to our communities and local economy.”
Si Bellamy OBE, the Eden Project’s chief transformation officer, said: “This project is in delivery and this news is yet another step forward for Eden Project Morecambe. The release of this investment will help to build further momentum in the project and the addition of a world-class external design team will enable us to complete the crucial work needed before we begin construction.”
County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is another important step in bringing Eden to Morecambe. Everyone is keen to see this unique visitor attraction come on stream. It will create jobs and deliver an economic boost to the town and the region and this next stage of investment brings that one step closer.
Sarah Kemp, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Lancaster University, said: “This is an important step forward to bringing this transformational project to Morecambe. All the partners have been working hard to support it and help secure the funding Eden needs to deliver Eden Project Morecambe for the community.”
Eden Project Morecambe will be a landmark attraction for the North West which will continue the Eden Project’s charitable mission of demonstrating and inspiring positive action for the planet. It will connect people to the natural world, celebrating the unique environment of Morecambe Bay.
Eden Project Morecambe will be situated on the central promenade of Morecambe, on the former site of the Bubbles leisure complex with the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel its near neighbours.
The project has been designed in a way which is sensitive and complementary to these important buildings and sightlines across the Bay.
Eden Project Morecambe is in its delivery phase and will cost £100m, with £50M grant funding from the UK Government and £50m from private and philanthropic funds.
The project is being delivered in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University. For more information on Eden Project Morecambe, see www.edenproject.com/morecambe.
A monthly series of community conversations to keep people updated with the latest news on Eden Project Morecambe have been arranged by the project partners, with the next taking place online on Tuesday October 1 at 1.30pm. For more information visit Lancaster.gov.uk/eden-conversations. Recordings of previous conversations can be found on the same page.